Rain stood firm between the two stalkers as they attempted to intimidate her despite their shorter statures.
“You look surprisingly calm to be surrounded by hunters, lady,” one sneered, tapping one of his oversized claws against the ground. “You do realize the second you step out of line, we have full rein to tear you apart.”
Rain took a deep breath. “I’d like to see you try...” she muttered.
“What was that?” He shot up on his toes.
“Can it, Drack! We’re not allowed to touch her!” He pulled his lips taught to flash a toothy sneer. “Yet.”
The first stalker huffed. “I can’t believe a grazer like you is trying to gain access to Farro’s presence!”
“And she will have it,” a voice boomed.
All three glanced up as the stalker messenger returned with Farro in tow, and, with a single look at him, Rain immediately began to regret her decision. The tyrant’s scales were a deep shade of taupe that faded to tan down his front as red stripes streaked across his back. He stood at least a head taller than her tallest stance and was much bulkier than the typical grazer. His beguiling smile was made more sinister with the number of sharp teeth protruding from his mouth. And sure enough, hanging from his neck was a vibrant green stone. Rain was forced to swallow her uncertainty for a chance at the prize.
“So, a crested grazer wishes to speak with me.” Farro waved away the messenger at his side. “I must say, you’ve got some strong bones to come here. Hm, and a lovely shade of scales, too…”
“I’ve heard a lot of talk of you among my peers,” Rain ignored his comment, “I figured I should come and see you for myself.”
The tyrant raised his brows. “‘A lot of talk’?” His grin widened. “Did you hear that, boys? This blue grazer—”
“Rain.”
“Excuse me?”
“My name is Rain.” She spoke succinctly.
He tilted his head to one side as his yellow pupils gazed at her from the corner of his eye. “She is brazen; I like that. So, Rain,” he emphasized her name, “What can I help you with today—aside from merely standing in my presence?”
“Well, Farro,” Rain mimicked his tone and took the smallest of steps further, “among the stories I’ve heard of your strength and leadership,” she stepped closer, “I’ve heard one particular story of your generosity.”
Farro took a deep breath as the blue grazer encroached his personal space. “Oh?” he breathed it back out.
Rain tantalizingly turned aside and looked over her shoulder. “And I came to find out what we have common.”
The tyrant was noticeably cracking under Rain’s increasing pressure. “My dear, what could a hunter and a grazer possibly have in common?” He babbled almost methodically.
Rain squared up with the tyrant, stood on her toes, and met him face to face. “I believe we have more in common than you think.” She whispered on the edge of her breath.
Farro swallowed. “Boys, leave us.”
“What??” One growled. “You mean you’re—”
“Leave us!” Farro stressed, tossing his head in their direction.
The three stalkers nodded without further incident. “Of course, sir.” They mumbled and darted around the rocks that marked the edge of the tyrant’s domain.
Rain’s eyes had strayed to the stalkers, silently wishing she could dash off with them. But the warm breath of Farro upon her neck brought her back to reality.
“You must certainly not be thinking what I am thinking,” the tyrant purred, drawing his muzzle close to her ear.
“Maybe I am,” she turned her head, looking into the only eye she could see. “Maybe I’m not.”
He chuckled. “What a curious creature you are! You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever acquainted.”
“I get that a lot,” Rain watched as Farro looked her over.
“This is a nice touch,” his clawed hand reached out for the spherical orb on Rain’s forehead. “What is it?”
“Uh,” Rain was coaxed forward as the tyrant’s short reach cupped her chin. “It’s a… headpiece.”
“It accentuates your beauty.” He finally left it alone and he slid closer to her. Before she knew it, his clawed hands were resting on her shoulders. “I feel we need a little more privacy—my dim-witted lackeys may be attempting to watch. Would you stroll with me?”
She eyed his claws as they gently rubbed her shoulders. “Of course,” she forced.
He extended his arm to her, and she was soon corralled to his side. He firmly locked her arm under his own, and the two started down the path by which he had come.
As they journeyed through a line of trees, Rain was surprised to see the view of the mountains spreading out before them. “Is this what you get to see every day?” Rain was so distracted by the view that she caused Farro to stop in his tracks so as not to step on her.
“Do you like it?” His eyes widened.
“I’ve always loved the mountains. I would daydream about visiting them as a kid,” she stared, enraptured, towards them. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen them so close…”
“Oh, the mountains are magnificent!” The tyrant at once grew energetic, “So much strength as they stand tall, watching over our flat lands with white, snowcapped eyes.” He blinked, his smile fading. “Strange; no one else seems to care for the view as much as I do.”
Shrugging, he nudged a nostalgic Rain along down the path, and Rain could see his castle-like cave at the base of the hill. The beautiful view was quickly turning sour when she thought of what would be awaiting her there; however, she had no other way to gain close access to Farro and his stone, as humiliating as the way may be. She took a deep breath and continued to hide her fear behind a pleasant expression.
“The view is one of my favorite things about living in this area,” he mused, glancing down at Rain. “I’m not sure how much you heard of me, but I do enjoy some of the finer things in life.”
“I can tell,” she humored him.
An odd smile returned to his face. “You’re very easy to talk to you, you know.”
Rain glanced up at the suddenness of his comment. “Oh?”
“Although, I suppose I’m rarely in such a verbose mood as I am in now. I’m usually a bit more preoccupied,” the laughter under Farro’ breath was only making her insides twist further. “But it truly feels like I’m finally able to be more… casual in your presence.”
Rain flashed a scowl. “I’m sure every other lady hears this spiel down this path.”
“Oh,” the tyrant’s brows lowered. “You truly have heard the stories.”
Rain was unable to tell if the towering creature’s disappointment was genuine, but even his posture had lowered from the swaggering tyrant she had first laid eyes on.
He held open his hands and shrugged. “It’s all true, I admit. And never have I once regretted a single sharing of my bed... until I’ve begun to speak to you.”
The grazer’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that you, perhaps by being outside of my kind...” he stepped closer to her. “You have changed something in me. I am drawn to you, but in a much different way...”
“You barely know me,” Rain tried to back away, but Farro was apt to follow her.
“Exactly!” He whispered excitedly, “And I want know more about you! I must learn about this brilliant blue grazer that has bravely glittered into my life! The valiant Rain who dared step closer to me...” his eyes closed as he dipped his head closer. “And what a beautiful grazer she is...”
She winced as he began to brush his muzzle against her crest.
“I’ve never known what it’s like to feel your kind’s crest,” he took in a deep breath through his nose. “Or smell your kind’s scent…”
A whimper escaped her lips. “Ah—I’ve never been so close to your kind either,” she spurt in an attempt to hide her fear.
“I have never felt such a deep desire...” Farro continued to run his muzzle along her crest. “A desire to know you... and to love you...”
“I...” She squinted her eyes shut and blurted, “I’ve made a terrible mistake!”
“Mistake?” Farro arched his head to look down at her. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t go with you!” Rain pulled away, bundling her arms against her chest.
The tyrant refrained from moving after her. “But—Rain, I thought...”
Rain’s hardened exterior had melted away; the fear she had attempted to hide was in plain sight. Trembling on the verge of tears, she whispered, “I’m sorry to have lead you on.”
Farro’s lips tugged to a frown as he crouched to her level. “You are simply overwhelmed,” he concluded. “It happens sometimes even to other lady tyrants in my presence.”
“Overwhelmed is a good word for it.” She shuddered.
Farro stood still, as if trying to process what was happening. “Am I... moving too quickly?” His words were light upon his lips. It was as if an entirely different beast was standing before her.
Rain was still fighting against her own breathing to answer, still balling her arms tightly against her body.
“Then this is even further proof you are unlike all others I have brought here.”
The grazer’s purple eyes cautiously watched as the great tyrant bent down and sat on the hillside. She glanced down at his hand when he extended it to her, but she instead chose to remain where she was. He nodded in quiet acceptance.
“Do you know what overwhelms me, Rain?” His toothy grin reemerged as he glanced at his feet. “You do! You, and your audacity! Even now—you have spoken to me so freely—so honestly—and in turn, I feel I can speak to you freely!” He sighed and shook his head. “I know my reputation precedes me, and I know I don’t have to justify my actions to you; but I want you to know that I don’t wish to simply carry you down this hill and be done with you. I truly wish to know you better. You intrigue me. You interest me.”
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “But you still wish to carry me down the hill.”
Farro looked back at his feet. “I do,” he admitted plainly. “I always desire to carry a lover down this hill. I desire so badly for it to be you.”
Rain avoided his eyes as he again looked upon her. “I’m sorry, Farro, but it can’t be me.”
“Is there nothing I can say to have you share my bed?”
A twinge of pity for the lovesick tyrant drew out the smallest of smiles upon her lips. “I don’t think so.”
He stretched closer, pained. “Is there nothing I can give?”
Rain’s eyes instinctively dropped down to the green stone around his neck, but she blinked it away and shook her head.
An odd expression came across Farro’s face. He lumbered back onto his feet, but he waved at her when she began stepping away. “Stay there,” he commanded, scooting behind her.
His warm breath blanketed her shoulders, but instead of his lips brushing against her cheek, one of his hands drew around her neck. She could scarcely react when she looked down to find the green stone lying on her chest.
“It is yours,” he spoke as he backed away, “but only if this token means I will see you again.”
Her fingers delicately touched the stone, and her eyes drew up to his. “Farro,” she attempted to find words.
“We can meet again so I may learn more about you. And perhaps, soon, you will not feel so overwhelmed.”
Rain stood with her hands wrung together, dumbfounded at the turn of events. “You’re letting me go… with this?”
“As much as it pains me,” Farro rolled his head back dramatically. “But if you, my courageous blue grazer, does not wish to be carried down the hill, who am I to force you?” He drew his head closer to her, but remained out of reach. “This green stone may not match your beauty, but it will be your reminder that I desire to see you again.”
“Of course,” she pressed her lips together and managed a bow. “Thank you, Farro.”
The brown tyrant sat down again on the path facing the mountains. “I look forward to our next meeting, Rain.”
Her lips pulled into a half-smile as she spoke words she would have never expected to speak to a tyrant.
“Likewise.”
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